Multisystemic therapy (MST)
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is a short-term treatment program aimed at addressing severe psychosocial and behavioral issues in children and adolescents, particularly those frequently involved with the legal system. Developed in the late 1990s by psychiatrist Scott W. Henggeler, MST takes a family and community-based approach, focusing on challenges such as delinquency, substance abuse, and underlying mental health concerns. The therapy is rooted in social ecological and family systems theories, recognizing that a youth's behavior is influenced by their interactions with family, peers, school, and community.
MST employs techniques from various established therapeutic practices, including cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy, allowing for a flexible treatment approach tailored to the individual needs of each youth and their family. Treatment typically lasts four to six months and involves the active participation of family members to foster positive changes in behavior and relationships. Progress is monitored through weekly sessions, and treatment goals often include tasks assigned to both the youth and their family to enhance social skills and family dynamics. Research indicates that MST is effective in reducing antisocial behavior and improving family cohesion, offering a holistic framework for supporting at-risk youths and their families.
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Multisystemic therapy (MST)
Multisystemic therapy (MST) is a short-term treatment program designed for children and adolescents with severe psychosocial and behavioral problems. It is a common treatment program for youths regularly in trouble with the law. MST is family and community based, and is designed to remedy issues such as delinquency, substance abuse, and underlying psychological problems. This type of therapy takes into account a youth’s interactions with family, peer groups, school, and his or her neighborhood. MST has shown to be successful in the treatment of antisocial behavior in children and has achieved mild success in children with serious emotional disturbances.
Overview
MST was developed by psychiatrist Scott W. Henggeler at the Family Services Research Center at the Medical University of South Carolina in the late 1990s. Its methods are oriented around the youth’s home and community. It is primarily used to treat adolescents experiencing the most severe of psychosocial problems. This type of therapy draws on other established treatment practices from a range of other therapies such as structural family therapy, strategic family therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. It is based on social ecological and family systems theories as well as studies related to the causes and correlations of serious antisocial behavior in youth. Its conceptual framework takes into account the multifaceted influences of the youth’s family, peer group, neighborhood, school, and overall community.
In terms of social ecological theories of human development, MST utilizes the view that behavior is a product of mutual interactions between an individual and his or her social environment. In its family systems theories basis, MST views children’s behaviors as a reflection of complex family interactions. The therapy’s clinical practices include a thorough assessment of the child’s development, family relations, and his or her family’s experiences in other social systems. MST was developed to allow for flexibility in treatment approaches, understanding that a range of techniques may be necessary when dealing with severe psychosocial problems in children.
MST is designed to provide services for a limited time, usually four to six months, and often involves the entire family. Youths are treated by a variety of professionals such as therapists and crisis caseworkers. Many times, these professionals are supervised by clinical psychologists or psychiatrists. Treatment programs are customized to suit each individual youth and his or her family. Therapy extends beyond the home and therapist’s office to the youth’s school, peer groups, and social networks.
Therapy may focus on changing the youth’s behavior, thought processes, communication skills, family dynamics, peer relationships, or a combination of each. Treatment extends to the youth’s family to encourage beneficial methods for dealing with the child’s behavior. Positive family participation will encourage the youth’s progress and improve his or her chances of therapeutic success.
Following a comprehensive assessment of the child’s current and past home and social life, professionals will identify a series of treatment goals, which usually involve a set of tasks to be completed. These tasks will be assigned to the youth and his or her family members. Progress will be monitored during weekly family sessions in an office or in the family home, with treatment duration relying on the successful completion of assigned tasks. Studies have shown MST is effective at improving youth social skills and family cohesion. It has also been shown to reduce unlawful behavior in adolescents.
Bibliography
Henggeler, Scott W., et al. Multisystemic Therapy for Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents. Guilford Press, 2009.
Henggeler, Scott W., editor. Serious Emotional Disturbance in Children and Adolescents: Multisystemic Therapy. Guilford Press, 2002.
Littell, J.H., et al. “Multisystemic Therapy for Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems in Youth Aged 10–17 (Review)” The Cochrane Collaboration, 2009, library.college.police.uk/docs/Multisystemic-therapy-2005.pdf. Accessed 20 Nov. 2018.
“Multisystemic Therapy (MST).” Family Services of NW PA, www.fsnwpa.org/our-services/in-home-services/multisystemic-therapy/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2018.
“Multisystemic Therapy (MST).” Youth.gov, youth.gov/content/multisystemic-therapy-mst. Accessed 20 Nov. 2018.
“Multisystemic Therapy (MST).” Youth Villages, www.youthvillages.org/intensive-in-home-treatment/multisystemic-therapy-mst/. Accessed 20 Nov. 2018.
“Program Profile: Multisystemic Therapy (MST).” National Institute of Justice, https://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?ID=192. Accessed 20 Nov. 2018.
“What Is MST?” Catholic Charities, www.ccwny.org/services/what-is-mst. Accessed 20 Nov. 2018.